Whole Foods Market Opens New Denver Location

AUSTIN, Texas (September 14, 2005). Whole Foods Market® (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, opened the doors of its Tamarac store in Denver today. The store will provide more than 50,000 square feet of the freshest, highest quality foods in an atmosphere that transforms grocery shopping into a sensory experience. Located at 7400 Hampden Avenue, this will be the company’s third store in the Denver area and its sixth in Colorado. (A seventh store will open in Lakewood in early December.)

“We can’t wait to be a part of, and support this community and satisfy and delight our new shoppers. We offer the best organic and natural products available, combined with exceptional customer service. Our exciting new features range from a seafood restaurant within the store, to our fresh salsa bar in the produce department,” said Store Marketing Director Saskia Cervantes.

Themes at the new Whole Foods Market are “in-house” and “ready.” Every department offers as much variety as a stand-alone specialty shop, with tempting treats ready to be plucked by busy shoppers on the go. Special features include homemade tortillas; an in-house coffee roaster; a brick hearth-fired pizza oven; a salad, soup and hot food bar, featuring tastes from around the world; and a gourmet chef’s case selections. Those choosing to linger a bit longer can enjoy a delectable meal at the full-service, sit-down seafood restaurant with a spectacular selection of seafood dishes made on the spot.

Even with an emphasis on convenient gourmet options, the heart of the Tamarac store is still firmly rooted in the basics, with a rainbow of one of the most extensive arrays of gorgeous, hand-stacked seasonal fruits and vegetables for which Whole Foods Market has become famous. A wide variety of artisan cheeses beg to be paired with a crusty loaf of fresh-baked bread and treats from the olive and antipasti bar. And for desserts, the store provides pastries and cakes made fresh daily, homemade donuts and — moving a bit beyond basics — a chocolate enrobing fountain for dipping fresh fruits or cookies in chocolate. Every department features an array of products true to the Whole Foods Market standard — free of artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.

This new location places an emphasis on the meat department’s “Paradise Barbecue,” another sit down eatery within the store. A variety of options such as fresh smoked pulled pork and chopped beef barbecue will also be available. The in-house meat and seafood smokers will prepare any item to perfection on request. The store also features in-house handmade sausages, a dry-aged beef program and an extensive oven and grill-ready meat selection. Whole Foods Market’s standards for natural meat and poultry go far beyond what the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires for labeling meat or poultry as “natural.” Meat and poultry at Whole Foods Market are free of antibiotics, added growth hormones and artificial additives and preservatives.

The store also boasts a wine shop called The Merchant of Vino, specializing in regional, family-owned wineries, microbreweries and organics products, as well as thousands of selections from regions of the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and many other areas of the world. “The Merchant of Vino is an extraordinary wine and beer shop with a broad range of selections for every budget and unsurpassed customer service. We provide the best quality products available from the great wine and beer regions around the world, and our knowledgeable Team Members will help you explore all the store has to offer. We would love to recommend a pairing for your next meal or gathering,” said Merchant of Vino Team Leader Rob Slaughter.

The new Whole Foods Market also features a Whole Body department with a vast array of natural body and nutrition items including a complete line of supplements and herbs, cosmetics and body care products. The store even has an in-house massage corner, where customers may take a short respite from their busy schedules and have a massage before or after their shopping. The store will also feature a Whole Baby department with an amazing selection of organic cotton baby clothes.

To celebrate the opening of the Tamarac store, Whole Foods Market opened the doors by breaking a giant loaf of ciabatta bread at 9:30 a.m. followed by its official opening at 10 a.m. today. Fresh grilled food greeted customers outside as they entered and an abundance of tasty treats were available inside for sampling.

District Councilwoman Peggy Lehman joined Rocky Mountain Regional President Will Paradise and other Whole Foods Market leaders to officially open the store.

Regular store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Merchant of Vino hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.